About group of 27

What happens when you put a bunch of Canada’s top musicians in a room together and add some of the best music ever written: group of 27. Dubbed “Toronto’s All-Star Classical Band”, this supergroup lives for their thrilling live performances, creating unique experiences each and every time. Whether they’re romping through Stravinsky, wowing with Beethoven, or bringing a new Canadian piece to life, g27 gives everything they have in each moment with electrifying results. And there’s always a little something extra. Want the audience on stage with the performers? Done. Want an actor, dancer or even the audience to participate? Done. Want to see Toronto’s at-risk youth giving it their all side-by-side with the professionals? Done. Want a world-class experience that blows you away? Done and done. group of 27 – The Experience Orchestra.

2 Comments

Thanks so much Leslie for this email! We always hope that even a small bit of what we do will inspire or affect someone in a positive way. And for two of your students to have been affected in such a big way and with such exploratory passion is not only a delight but incredibly inspiring for us! Wow. If they want to contact us (Eric Paetkau, Nadina, or anyone else with group of 27), just let us know – we’d be happy to keep the conversation going. And if you’re all able to make it out for the May 16th concert, please come and say hi and talk to us!

Hi. I’m the bassoon player who brought two new young violinists to your Young at Heart concert. They were completely enchanted. On the way home, James, the one who’s been playing for six months, said he couldn’t believe strings could sound so smooth and silky. Reshawn, the one who’s been playing for three months, wondered what that composer guy was thinking about when he wrote his pieces, and what the trumpet and bassoon were saying. I pointed out that there was considerable information on that very subject in the program notes. I suggested he get a good night’s sleep, gird his lions and tackle reading them.

James especially loved the slow movements of the Mozart and Elgar, and he looked them up on YouTube so he could listen to them over again.

What I didn’t know is that he was even more taken by the little snippet of the Haydn Serenade that was being played “while that cello lady was talking”. He had to choose between listening to her talk and listening to the music. Haydn won.

I had no idea he felt that way about it or I would have told him what it was. He spent every spare minute between Saturday morning and Monday night searching for it on YouTube. He came charging into my classroom at lunch today, Tuesday, and began trying to play it by ear. Since he has never before played anything without F# and C# in it, it wasn’t going too well.

I showed him a C scale and where to start, and let him have at it while I marked science tests. Within half an hour he had a credible grasp of the first 12 bars and was teaching it to Reshawn. Next 12 bars tomorrow.

Your concert had a profound effect on these kids and I wanted you to know. We’re going to try to make it to your DIY concert.

I’m so glad Nadina persuaded me to come and hear g27 on a school night. 😉
Leslie